Parents and kids approach orthodontics in different ways, with the former considering the big picture and the latter experiencing the overall daily angst of wearing braces. Orthodontics make a huge impact on teenage self-esteem, and investing in the nearly invisible Invisalign Teen can help tweens and teens embrace their braces journey and feel good about themselves from start to finish.
Your orthodontist always provides a window of time indicating how long they expect your orthodontic treatment to last – and they’re usually right about it. Some patients are pleasantly surprised to discover, though, that their estimated treatment is suddenly shortened by several months. How does this happen? And how can it be a reality for you or your child? Here are some of the factors that affect how long braces stay on teeth – and what might get braces off sooner than expected.
Cavities are a headache no matter when or where they occur. If you are wearing braces and develop tooth decay, tending to this problem becomes a little more complex but not unfixable. Here are some facts about cavities and braces to keep in mind whether you are preparing for orthodontic treatment or right in the middle of it.
Teens have their own ideas about how to do everything, including taking care of their braces. In fact, tending to their teeth may not be a priority at all, but it is a parent’s job to encourage teens to prioritize their oral health. When the teen braces go on, set clear expectations about daily responsibilities right from the start and reinforce them throughout treatment, along with the following motivators.
Most teens wear their braces for 18 months. The orthodontist carefully plans out how treatment will progress during this year and a half and will adjust as necessary along the way. There are different stages of alignment though, and knowing what’s coming up and what has already been achieved can make the entire process of braces for teens go faster and feel like quite an accomplishment.
Dentists typically recommend an orthodontic evaluation for children by age 7 or 8. This is a best practice for every child and parent, but if your dentist firmly encourages you to seek an orthodontic opinion, listen to them. They’ve seen something that isn’t quite right and could benefit from customized braces for kids.
If you have your heart set on Invisalign treatment to correct problems with the alignment of your teeth, be aware of circumstances that impact whether you are a good candidate for this treatment. While many orthodontic patients can select from Invisalign or conventional braces, there are some who are limited in what’s available to fix misalignment. If you’re determined to wear clear aligners, the following complications could impact whether this treatment is right for you.
People who wear braces sometimes need their teeth turned or rotated. After all, brackets and wires are not only designed to straighten teeth or close gaps. Your orthodontist may even need to extrude a tooth or two to achieve ideal alignment. What does that mean? If you don’t know, you’re in the majority. “Extrusion” isn’t all that common for someone who is new to the world of orthodontia.
The palatal expander journey is brief, but it can be inconvenient for the patient at first, as is the case with most orthodontic interventions. The appliance, though, is a common treatment and used when it’s necessary to widen a child’s upper jaw and create room for crowded teeth. While every patient is different and their treatment trajectory will vary, there are typical steps that occur for most expander wearers, including what happens after wear time is complete.
Invisalign treatment can be customized for kids who are in Phase 1 of orthodontic treatment, which usually occurs between ages 6 to 10. While it may be hard to wrap your head around the idea of your child in any kind of braces at such a young age, early orthodontics like Invisalign can save them from lengthy treatment later and give them a great boost of confidence.
